Home > United States of America > Iowa > Fayette County > Elgin > Elgin City Cemetery > Elias Benson

Elias Benson

Birth	:	7 Jul 1848 Sweden
Death	:	22 Jan 1938
Burial	:	Elgin City Cemetery, Elgin, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate	:	42.9580000, -91.6410000
Description	:	Elias Benson, the junior member of the firm of Benson Bros., dealers in general merchandise, was born near Warberg, Sweden, July 7, 1848, and is a son of Ben Swanson and Anna (Marckuson) Benson, who never left their native land, but in Sweden lived the lives of farming people. In their family were six children, four sons and two daughters. The latter died in the old country but the brothers came to the United States. Andrew crossed the Atlantic in 1867 and is a prosperous farmer of Delaware County, Iowa. Two years later John and August sought homes in the... Read More	Elias Benson, the junior member of the firm of Benson Bros., dealers in general merchandise, was born near Warberg, Sweden, July 7, 1848, and is a son of Ben Swanson and Anna (Marckuson) Benson, who never left their native land, but in Sweden lived the lives of farming people. In their family were six children, four sons and two daughters. The latter died in the old country but the brothers came to the United States. Andrew crossed the Atlantic in 1867 and is a prosperous farmer of Delaware County, Iowa. Two years later John and August sought homes in the New World, and both are now residents of this county, the former a well-to-do farmer of Pleasant Valley Township, and the latter, the senior member of the firm of Benson Bros. Elias was the last to come over the ocean. He was reared on a farm and had no opportunities for education except what his mother taught him. As soon as he was old enough he had to earn his own living by working on a farm. In 1870, he formed the determination to follow his brothers and on the 22nd of April sailed for America, arriving in Quebec on the 10th of May. He at once made his way to Clayton County, Iowa, and the first year worked on a farm for wages. The following winter he went to school working for his board, and subsequently was employed as a farm hand until 1874, when he worked for a short time on the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railroad. The two succeeding years he spent in the employ of J. L. Hagensick of McGregor, Iowa, and in March, 1877, went to Washington, and the same year visited California. In the spring of 1879 we find him working in the timber and on mining ditches for the Spring Valley Mining and Irrigating Company, in whose employ he remained two winters. His return to Iowa occurred in December, 1880, after which he became a grain and stock dealer of Clermont, which business he followed for two years, when in 1883, he became a member of the firm of Benson Bros. On the 7th of July of the same year Mr. Benson was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie Myers, who was born in Allamakee County, Iowa, October 27, 1860, and is of German descent. Two children grace their union - Anna Matilda and Clara May. Mr. Benson is a Democrat in politics and socially is a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity. He has traveled over much of this country, and his life has been an interesting and fruitful one in which by industry and close attention to business he has acquired a handsome competence. Elgin Echo 27 Jan 1938 -- Elias Benson obit Elias Benson, son of Ben and Anna Swenson, was born at Warburg , Sweden, on July 7,1848, and died in his home in Elgin, on Saturday evening, January 22, 1938, age eighty-nine years, six months and fifteen days. He was the youngest of a family of six children, four sons and two daughters, all of whom have preceded him in death. On April 22, 1870, he left Sweden and came to the United States. One month from the time he started he arrived at McGregor, where his three brothers, Andrew, August, and John, had come from Sweden the previous year. For seven years he worked on farms in Clayton county, then he went to CA where he remained four years. In 1861 he returned to Iowa and came to Elgin where he went into the general merchandise business with his brother August, which he continued for fifteen years. Later he was in the lumber business for fifteen years. In 1913 he built the new modern home in which he has since lived until the time of his death. On July 7 1883 he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Myers, at Elgin, and to them were born two daughters, Mrs. Mae Bopp, who in recent years has been living with and caring for her father in his declining years, and Mrs. Anna Bakeman of Antioch, CA. On Dec. 17, 1913, the family circle was broken by the death of the mother. He is survived by his two daughters and three grandchildren: Mrs. Bernita Bopp Barelmay, of Morton, IL, Mrs. Norma Bakeman Snabel, of Richmond, CA, and Ronald Bakeman, also one great grandchild, Carleen Ann Snabel, besides nephew, nieces and other near relatives. When 15 years of age he was confirmed in the Lutheran church of Sweden and was every faithful to its teachings. On Dec. 3, 1905, he united with the Methodist church of Elgin, and at once began to be one of the most useful of its members. The records show that he was the largest doaner of money and labor in the building of St. Paul's church on its present site. He was treasurer of the board of trustees during its construction and managed the finances of the project in a most commendable manner. In his active years Mr. Benson was one of the leading citizens of Elgin and was always ready to give of his time and money to promote any project which he deemed worthy. He was the first treasurer of the incorporated town of Elgin, and for more than fifty years a member of the fraternal order of I.O.O.F. holding various offices during that time. Mr. Benson possessed a literary type of mind and although his schooling in this country was limited to one winter term in a country school, yet he acquired an average education at home in his spare time by much reading and study. He was esteemed and respected by all who knew him. Funeral services were held from St. Paul's M.E. church Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, conducted by Rev. J.J. Snyder. Hymns were sung by William Weibel, Edward Klingman, G. J. Mosby and C. B. Schori and Mrs. Louis Klingman playing the accompaniment. The casket bearers were: Mel Kohler, Hans Grether, Geo. N. Schori, Leo Schori, B.J. Baumgartner and Max Hunsberger. Burial was made in the Elgin cemetery.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Elias Benson's memorial?
Elias Benson's memorial is located at: Elgin City Cemetery, Elgin, Fayette County, USA.
When did Elias Benson death?
Elias Benson death on 22 Jan 1938 in
Where are the coordinates of the Elias Benson's memorial?
Latitude: 42.9580000
Longitude: -91.6410000

Family Members:

Parent

Spouse

Elizabeth “Lizzie” Meyers Benson

(1863 - 1913)

Siblings

(unknow - unknow)

John Benson

(1840 - 1926)

August Benson

(1845 - 1936)

Children

Clara Mae Benson Bopp

(1888 - 1966)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Elgin City Cemetery
Elgin, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9580000, -91.6410000

2. Gods Acres Cemetery
Clermont, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9925003, -91.6496964

3. Saint Peters Catholic Cemetery
Clermont, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0003014, -91.6438980

4. Apostolic Cemetery
Marion Township, Clayton County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9347000, -91.5821991

5. Brainard Cemetery
Brainard, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9341980, -91.7044900

6. East Clermont Lutheran Church Cemetery
Grand Meadow Township, Clayton County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9969406, -91.5916672

7. Houg Cemetery
Gunder, Clayton County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9444008, -91.5675964

8. Illyria Cemetery
Wadena, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8975983, -91.6363983

9. Pleasant Grove Cemetery
Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9347000, -91.7450027

10. Butler Cemetery
West Union, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9738910, -91.7501880

11. Mount Pleasant Cemetery
West Union, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9777985, -91.7647018

12. Marion Lutheran Cemetery
Gunder, Clayton County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9708290, -91.5127792

13. Nutting Cemetery
Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0306015, -91.7247009

14. Highland Lutheran Cemetery
Highland Township, Clayton County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8987000, -91.5330000

15. Cook Family Cemetery
Elkader, Clayton County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9209880, -91.5091230

16. Fry Family Cemetery
Farmersburg, Clayton County, USA
Coordinate: 43.0152530, -91.5182350

17. Mount Calvary Cemetery
West Union, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9300003, -91.7850037

18. Lima Cemetery
Lima, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8689000, -91.7373000

19. Corbin Cemetery
Wadena, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8440000, -91.6200000

20. Wadena Cemetery
Wadena, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8428000, -91.6520000

21. Saint Josephs Cemetery
Wadena, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8424988, -91.6492004

22. Old Pioneer Cemetery
Wadena, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8375100, -91.6537300

23. West Union Cemetery
West Union, Fayette County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9611000, -91.8151600

24. Clark Family Cemetery
Beulah, Clayton County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9166505, -91.4751415